New Republic Archives

Roleplay Logs

23 May 2002

Assault on Courscant, conclusion: The Katarn has struck


IP: 64.254.131.37
Posted on 05/23/02 at 18:10:33 by Admiral Ric Hawkins

‘CALL THEM BACK!! ALL ADVANCING SHIPS FALL BACK NOW!!!” I bellowed to the comm. officer. Franticly he and the other comm. operators began relaying my orders.

I reached out with the force to the other side of the planet. The ships of the 3rd and 4th were in the middle of evasive maneuvers. Then it happened.

A line of satellites opened up to reveal energy reflectors as planetary shield generators re-directed the shields to form a wall between the two fleets.

With the barrier at an angle along their flank, forward ships and fighters attempted to come about, but several collided with the energy wall. Two Corellian corvettes and 3 gunships were instantly destroyed. And an MC-90 was able to slow enough to avoid being destroyed, but lost its shields in the impact. The ship now reeled in space, crippled. Two corona-frigates somehow managed to stop a mere 50 meters from the wall of energy, and looking right down the noses of 6 Imperial Class Star Destroyers.

The rest of the attack force were able to veer away and were scattered, their formations severely disrupted. And because of the angle they were moving at, it was like dragons exposing their bellies.

The Shields were lowered, allowing for the Imperial star destroyers to open fire with all forward weapons. Turbo lasers and Ion cannons flared to live, raking over the nearest ships. On the planet, broken streets cracked open and dozens of hidden missile launchers burst forth from the planets surface and began spewing their deadly munitions. Transports and freighters behind the defense lines began lifting off and entering hyperspace as soon as they were able.

The NR commanders were smart though and had re-angled their own shields to deal with the on coming fire, but they were taking heavy fire and would only hold so long.

Over the Poles, the second parts of the 3rd and 4th fleets had slowed their advance. They watched as another shield wall was erected, blocking them from coming to the aid of their comrades.

Communications and operations officers began calling out reports of the situation. It was almost too much to take in, but I had my own means. Reaching out with the Force, as I had never had before, I took in the entire battle. My senses were stretched to the max, and I could feel the strain.

The first part of the Attack force were bottled up and taking heavy fire form both the Star Destroyers and Planetary batteries. Fighters form hidden bases began rising up to engage. I could see numerous Interceptors, Bombers and Defenders make attack runs on the scattered ships.

I had to do something…

I checked the ground assault, No noticeable resistance was detected and the marines and army troops were deployed as planned. A few Minor skirmishes were taking place, but nothing severe.

“Order all available fighters not actively covering the ground assault to make for those missile launchers, best possible speed!” I called out. And tell the commander of our 3rd BG to hold his position, and for General A’bant to get out of there. The Rest of us, flank speed, were gonna blow the imperials right off the planet.”

I felt the movement of the /Archon / as we came about, at flank speed the ships lurched forward as the ships main drives came on line. I could see both thought the view port, and in my mind’s eye, fighters surging forward ahead of us. This was not going to be an elegant maneuver. It was going to be a simple full charge, destroying any imperial ship that gets in our path.

We rounded the planet and saw that the Entire Imperial defense Fleet was still trying to shoot up General A’bhant’s forces. They were gaining distance now, and getting out or range. Behind the Imp defense line, I could see transports of every kind literally streaming form the planet and into hyperspace.

Over the North Pole, the second attack force was beginning to shoot thought the shield with massive salvos. Now was NOT the time to be elegant.

Once we came into range I ordered all forward weapons to open fire, concentrating on the lead SD. Take that one out quickly and move on to another.

The shields were brought up again and took the brunt of the fire. That was fine with me. We couldn’t shoot them but they couldn’t shoot us, and it gave General A’bhant a chance to regroup.

As we pounded the shields, I got reports that the planetary missile launchers were taken out. Black Knight Squadron paved the way. Good.

“Sir the shield is weakening. “

“Good, prepare to go through. Tell groups one through…”

“SIR!! “ an ops officer called out, “ The last of the transports has just left the planet, and 60 of the 82 enemy capital ships are turning to leave…and another wall is forming, BEHIND the Imperials front line!”

“WHAT?”

I sensed the energy field being erected behind the first line of Imperial defenders as the first shield suddenly went out, leaving 10 SD’s we were facing totally exposed. Sensors reported the second shield was 3 times as powerful as the first ones.

The 10 SD’s immediately sent messages of surrender.

We began pounding the second shield wall but before we could break through, the rest of the Imps fleet was long gone.

“Deploy around the planet, lets get this place secure. Any word from the ground forces?”

“They’re starting to move forward sir, meeting only light resistance.”

All right, begin mop up operations. All Severely damaged ships report to rally point Bravo to rendezvous with fleet tenders and hospital ships. Send out search and rescue teams for EVA pilots and escape pods.”

And send this message to fleet command.

“Operation Kataran is a success. We have secured the space around the planet, established secure landing zone, and disabled defenses. Request that relief forces be deployed and more ground units be sent to secure the planets surface. “

Full Report and status of fleets to be transmitted as soon as they are determined.

Admiral Ric Hawkins out”.